Plumbing fixture

ABSTRACT

A sanitational or plumbing fixture comprising a body member intended to be built in or inset in a wall opening for covering the latter, this body member including means providing a handgrip for a user and means providing a soap dish. The body member further incorporates a carrying or supporting surface having an opening, with a water-mixing valve piercingly extending through such opening. The water-mixing valve possesses an adjustment knob for regulating the total quantity of outflowing water and an adjustment knob for regulating the temperature of such water. These adjustment knobs are located above the aforementioned supporting surface and the mixing valve unit is mounted in such opening of the supporting surface.

United [72] Inventor Filed Patented Assignee [54] PLUMBI Appl. No.

States Patent NG FIXTURE 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl

Int. Cl Field of Search 4/192, 4/185 H E03c l/04 4/185 H,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gruen Mongerson et al. Bucknell et a1 Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg Assistant ExaminerDonald B. Massenberg Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: A sanitational or plumbing fixture comprising a body member intended to be built in or inset in a wall opening for covering the latter, this body member including means providing a handgrip for a user and means providing a soap dish. The body member further incorporates a carrying or supporting surface having an opening, with a water-mixing valve piercingly extending through such opening. The water-mixing valve possesses an adjustment knob for regulating the total quantity of outflowing water and an adjustment knob for regulating the temperature of such water. These adjustment knobs are located above the aforementioned supporting surface and the mixing valve unit is mounted in such opening of the supporting surface.

PATENIED m1 I 1972 633 2-23 sum 1 0F 3 I N VE NTOR /?(/00L F KIM/4 S ATTORNEY Fig. 2

INVENTOR R0001; KH

BYwu/ W ATTORNEY PATENTEB Jill 1 B72 SHEET 3 UF 3 PLUMBING FIXTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The built-in fixture of the invention is manifested by the features that there is provided a body member intended to be built-in or inserted in a wall opening and serving to cover such wall opening. The body member is equipped with a hand grip and a soap dish. It further includes a support surface provided with an opening through which there piercingly extends a water-mixing valve unit, preferably of substantially cylindrical configuration, this water-mixing valve unit possessing a first adjustment knob or the like for regulating the total quantity of water discharged from the valve unit and a second adjustment knob coaxial with the first adjustment knob for regulating the temperature of the discharged or outflowing water. Both of these adjustment knobs are located above the support surface and the mixing valve is clamped into the aforementioned opening of the support surface of the body member or is supported at such.

By virtue of these measures, it is now possible to arrange the control means for regulating the water, both as to quantity and temperature, the holding means or handgrip for the user and also the housing means for accommodating the soap and the like, in a concentrated single location which is the most convenient for use of this fixture. Additionally, the aforementioned arrangement, apart from facilitating the use of the fixture by the user, also enables maintaining the front of the wall free of bulky protrusions which otherwise might cause accidents and render more difficult cleaning of the front of the wall. Additionally, the inventive built-in plumbing fixture or sanitary installation brings about a reduction of the actual costs of the fixture, as well as the mounting costs thereof.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventive sanitary or plumbing fixture, it is possible, for the purpose of improving the accessibility of the adjustment knobs at the mixing valve unit, to forwardly incline the supporting surface at the body member and to locate these adjustment knobs above the hand grip and soap dish. In so doing, the portion of the mixing valve which is covered by the body member extends into the wall opening in the mounted condition of the built-in plumbing fixture. Advantageously, the inner portion of the mixing valve is rigidly connected via a collar or the like with the boundary portion of the wall opening.

According to a further manifestation of the sanitary or plumbing fixture of the invention, it is possible to have open at the lower end of the body member a discharge stud or connection piece which communicates with the mixing compartment ofthe mixing valve unit.

By virtue of these measures, there is achieved a further concentration of the operating means at the region of, in particular, bathtubs and sinks, in that now, apart form the control means for the water, the holding means for the user and the housing means for the soap, etc., also the water discharge is located at a single built-in sanitary or plumbing fixture.

Furthermore, the discharge stud or connecting piece can support a pivotable discharge tube via a hinge joint or the like. Additionally, the handgrip can be formed in the support surface or in the soap dish or can extend vertically as a support member between the support surface and the soap dish disposed therebelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective front view of a preferred embodiment of built-in sanitary or plumbing fixture;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the built-in plumbing fixture of FIG. 1, shown in its mounted position at the front of a wall or the like;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a further embodiment of inventive sanitary or plumbing fixture;

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of another embodiment of inventive sanitary or plumbing fixture; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of still a further embodiment ofinventive sanitary or plumbing fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, the various embodiments of sanitary or plumbing fixtures described and illustrated herein will be understood to encompass a body member 1 advantageously formed of plastic, ceramic or porcelain, by way of example, and carrying an automatic mixing valve unit 2. This sanitary or plumbing fixture can be built-in or inset at the front of a wall 4 provided with an opening 3 and located at the region of the shower installation, bathtub or the like.

Looking now more specifically at the construction of the body member 1, and viewing same from the bottom towards the top as shown in FIG. 2, it will be seen to encompass a soap dish or bowl 5, a handgrip 6 and a forwardly inclined supporting surface 7 provided with a central opening 7a. Body member 1 is preferably constructed as a formed or molded member. For the purpose of securing this fixture at the region of the opening 3, the body member 1 braces itself by means of its outer edge or margin at the wall delimiting or bounding the opening 3. Furthermore, a retaining rail or ledge 8 provided at the body member 1 engages behind a suitable retaining spring 9 located in the opening 3. Of course, the aforedescribed manner of attachment of the body member 1 to the opening 3 of the wall 4 is but exemplary, and other attachment mechanisms and expedients can be readily employed. For instance, the body member 1 can be conveniently threadably attached with the wall 4.

Continuing, it will be observed that an automatic hot-andcold water-mixing valve unit, of essentially cylindrical configuration, is inserted through the supporting surface 7, as best observed by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and the adjustment knobs 2a and 2b thereof, serving to regulate the total quantity of outflowing water and the temperature of such outflowing or discharged water, are located above the supporting surface 7. Furthermore, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, the remaining portion of the mixing valve unit 2, together with its connecting nipples or studs 10, extends at an inclination rearwardly and downwardly into the opening 3 of the wall 4. At that location, the studs 10 are coupled with the cold water conduit and the hot water conduit and the discharge or outlet connection, in the usual manner, and thus not shown in greater detail. Beneath the adjustment knobs 2a, 212 or equivalent regulating or control members, the mixing valve unit 2 is fixedly clamped via a collar 11 or equivalent structure at the supporting surface 7. A further collar member 12 provides for an additional retention of the mixing valve unit 2 in desired position.

As also readily observed by referring to the drawings, the control means possessing the rotary knobs 2a, 2b of the mixing valve unit 2 are easily accessible to the user by virtue of the previously described inclined arrangement. Additionally, the construction of the body member 1 provides for a concentrated arrangement of all of the necessary operational or manipulative members, that is, the control means, the holding or handgrip and the soap dish, at a location which is most suitable for the user. Finally, there should also be mentioned the fact that by virtue of the previously described sanitary or plumbing fixture of the invention there is achieved a considerably more aesthetic effect in comparison to the previously known conventional arrangement of prior art plumbing fixtures embodying separate control means, handgrip and soap dish or bowl.

Turning now to the modified version of sanitary fixture depicted in FIG. 3, such will be seen to once again embody a body member 1 having a forwardly inclined support surface 7 as well as a protruding or projecting portion 5 which can be constructed to define a soap dish or bowl. Furthermore, a handgrip 6 is advantageously formed at the front side of the supporting surface 7, as shown. At the lower end or region of the body member 1, advantageously at the frontmost extension of the projecting portion 5, there additionally opens a discharge connecting piece or stud 12 which, as will be quite evident to those versed in the art and therefore not further shown in the drawing, communicates in flow relationship with the mixing compartment for the hot and cold water of the mixing valve unit. Furthermore, it is readily possible to provide a pivotable discharge tube or pipe which is connected with the discharge connecting piece 12 through the agency of a suitable hinge joint or the like, and which has been conveniently omitted from the drawing for the purpose of preserving clarity in illustration.

Now, in the modified embodiment of FIG. 4, the handgrip 6, in contrast to the preceding embodiment where such handgrip 6 was arranged at the supporting surface 7, here is shown arranged at the protruding or projecting portion 5 which, one again, can be constructed as a soap dish or bowl. This handgrip 6 is also here arranged at the front side of the protruding portion 5.

In the embodiment ofinventive sanitary of plumbing fixture shown in FIG. 5, the hand grip 6 is constructed as a vertically extending support member which is disposed between the supporting surface 7 and the projecting portion 5.

Just as was the case with the embodiment of plumbing fixture of FIGS. 1 and 2, here also, the previously described embodiments of sanitary or plumbing fixtures depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, likewise permit a compact or concentrated arrangement of all of the required manipulative or operational members, that is, in this case, the control means, the holding or handgrip, the soap dish or bowl and the water discharge, and specifically, at a location which is the most favorable from the standpoint of the user. Furthermore, once again, by virtue of the described embodiments of sanitary or plumbing fixtures depicted in these figures, there is likewise achieved a considerably improved aesthetic appearance or effect in comparison to the previously known prior art plumbing fixtures of this general type wherein the control means, the handgrip means, the soap dish and the water discharge were separately arranged. Naturally, modifications of the shape or configuration of the fixture are possible, for instance, it would be conceivable to use two vertically extending handgrips or for instance arrange the discharge connecting piece so as to be laterally disposed at the body member, by way of example.

While there is shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A plumbing fixture comprising a body member intended to be built into a wall opening for covering the latter, said body member including means providing a handgrip for a user and means providing a soap dish, said body member further incorporating a supporting surface having an opening, a water-mixing valve unit piercingly extending through said opening, said water-mixing valve unit possessing a first adjustment knob for regulating the total quantity of water flowing out of said mixing valve unit and a second adjustment knob coaxial with said first adjustment knob for regulating the temperature of the outflowing water, said adjustment knobs being disposed above said supporting surface and said mixing valve unit being located within said opening of said supporting surface of said body member.

2. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, further including means for clamping said mixing valve unit at said opening of said su porting surface of said body member.

3. A p umbing fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting surface is disposed above said handgrip and said soap dish.

4. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim I, wherein said supporting surface is forwardly inclined, with the portion of said mixing valve unit covered by said body member extending into the wall opening when said plumbing fixture is mounted at said wall opening.

5. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 4, further including collar means for fixedly connecting said mixing valve unit with a boundary portion of the wall opening.

6. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said handgrip and said soap dish are formed at said body member.

7. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, further including a discharge connection piece opening at the lower end of said body member and capable of communicating in operable relationship with the mixing compartment of said mixing valve unit.

8. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 7, wherein said handgrip is formed at the front side ofsaid supporting surface.

9. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 7, wherein said handgrip is formed at the front side ofsaid soap dish.

10. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 7, wherein said hand grip extends vertically in the form of a support between said supporting surface and said soap dish. 

1. A plumbing fixture comprising a body member intended to be built into a wall opening for covering the latter, said body member including means providing a handgrip for a user and means providing a soap dish, said body member further incorporating a supporting surface having an opening, a water-mixing valve unit piercingly extending through said opening, said water-mixing valve unit possessing a first adjustment knob for regulating the total quantity of water flowing out of said mixing valve unit and a second adjustment knob coaxial with said first adjustment knob for regulating the temperature of the outflowing water, said adjustment knobs being disposed above said supporting surface and said mixing valve unit being located within said opening of said supporting surface of said body member.
 2. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, further including means for clamping said mixing valve unit at said opening of said supporting surface of said body member.
 3. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting surface is disposed above said handgrip and said soap dish.
 4. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting surface is forwardly inclined, with the portion of said mixing valve unit covered by said body member extending into the wall opening when said plumbing fixture is mounted at said wall opening.
 5. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 4, further including collar means for fixedly connecting said mixing valve unit with a boundary portion of the wall opening.
 6. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said handgrip and said soap dish are formed at said body member.
 7. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 1, further including a discharge connection piece opening at the lower end of said body member and capable of communicating in operable relationship with the mixing compartment of said mixing valve unit.
 8. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 7, wherein said handgrip is formed at the front side of said supporting surface.
 9. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 7, wherein said handgrip is formed at the front side of said soap dish.
 10. A plumbing fixture as defined in claim 7, wherein said hand grip extends vertically in the form of a support between said supporting surface and said soap dish. 